Pope still deciding about Canada trip

By Deborah Gyapong

CORNWALL, Ont. (CCN)
He has spoken with the Pope and they have agreed to meet at the end of November to make a final decision about the Pope coming to the 2008 Eucharistic Congress in Quebec in June, Cardinal Marc Ouellet told the plenary meeting of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"The final decision has not been made," the Quebec archbishop said. He added he was not alarmed when September news stories reported Vatican sources saying "no concrete plans were being made" for the Pope to attend the 2008 Eucharistic Congress in Quebec next June.

If the Pope comes, there will be a special prayer meeting with youth on the Saturday night.

Fifty cardinals have confirmed their attendance, as have hundreds of bishops.

In a report to the CCCB plenary, Cardinal Ouellet released the preliminary schedule for the June 15-22 Congress, including the names of some of the speakers. Religious include Cardinal Ivan Dias, who is the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin from France, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina, Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi from Cameroon, and Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C.

Lay speakers include L'Arche founder Jean Vanier, lay Catholic evangelist Jose H. Prado Flores, and Burundian humanitarian Marguerite Barankitse.

Ordinations on the Friday

The event will have three official languages: French, English, and Spanish. The $230 registration fee ($200 until January) will include access to simultaneous translation services.

On the Friday night of the Congress, an ordination service will underline the link between sacramental ordination and the Eucharist, Cardinal Ouellet said. He invited bishops to send candidates eligible for ordination in 2008 to this special service.

"I have at least 12 candidates who will be ready to be ordained for the diocese and religious orders," he said.

The Congress is also making plans to welcome families and children who might only attend from Friday until Sunday.

Morning activities and speakers will focus on the thousands of registered pilgrims. Cardinal Ouellet said there will also be many activities for the general public in the afternoons and evenings, including some 160 exhibits from diocesan groups and people involved in liturgical art.

Quebec will be transformed into a Eucharistic city, he said, with many opportunities for Adoration, pastoral reflection, and exchanges.

Though budget projections in 2003 estimated an $8.3 million cost for the event, Cardinal Ouellet said expenses are expected to reach $12 million. The Congress has raised more than $12 million, leaving a surplus of more than $35,000. He said he expects a balanced budget.

If the Pope does come, an additional $3 million will be needed to cover security, logistics, and protocol, but Cardinal Ouellet said this amount would be picked up by the various levels of government. A papal visit needs about six months lead time for security and logistical arrangements.

Cardinal Ouellet has been travelling widely, visiting almost every province so far, speaking about the conference and inviting people to come.

The Congress plans to make extensive use of its web site, www.cei2008.ca, to broadcast many of the Congress's speakers and events live.